Chapter 74: Breakthrough to Silver tier 5
An entire month had passed since the Blessing Bestowal incident in the Nightbloom Dukedom. During that time, various events unfolded across the entire Pocket World. Most notably, the giant gate continued to grow, actively breaching dimensional barriers. It had now mysteriously appeared in five other regions, creating vast, distorted lands never seen before, each teeming with powerful, rampant creatures.
Specifically within Celebi Forest City, those close to Elton experienced numerous breakthroughs. Perhaps due to not being born in this place, which had an overabundance of essence energy, coupled with their exceptional genius, both Zoro and Ramiro shockingly broke through into the Silver Tier 5 rank. What was far more surprising and a cause for celebration, especially among Judiciar Royalin-Oak's faction, was that Joe-Pine finally ended his seclusion three days prior, breaking through into the Gold Tier 1 stage! He was met with abundant congratulations and celebrations, including from Zoro, Ramiro, and the Fanged Elf friends they had grown close with. Even the lately low-key Elton and Shayleaf managed to offer their congratulations.
The most shocking development overall, however, remained a closely guarded secret known only to a select few. Shayleaf had reached Silver Tier 5! In just about a month, she had ascended three tiers! Not only that, but something about her had subtly changed; she now exuded a slightly more mature vibe, though her childish tendencies still remained. Aeloria ensured that none of this news leaked, informing only the core members of the royal family through the constantly appearing Jewleaf, who was still conducting his "investigation." Shearleaf appeared with Shirleaf that day, hosting a small celebration. It was also at this point that what was a visibly worried Jewleaf, has now began to joyously treat Elton like a son much to Elton's own embarrassment and dismay.
Also, during this period, Aeloria and Rudecka secretly made contact and managed to negotiate on several key matters.
Now, on this very day, Elton sat cross-legged within the Cultivation Chamber of their mansion. His right hand wove hand signs, resting upon Shayleaf's thigh. Shayleaf herself sat in his lap, her back pressed against his chest, as his left arm gently wrapped around her. She was biting into his arm. Their energies perfectly synchronized, their auras moved like a single, mighty river. Then, it finally happened:
Boooom!
Elton's Magic and Ki-laced Essence finally broke through its barrier, reaching Silver Tier 5! After his breakthrough, both Shayleaf's and his auras became far more aligned than even they had initially thought. As they continued their synchronized cultivation, both their auras steadily climbed. Almost four hours later, they awoke in a daze, intoxicated by the sensation.
Shayleaf excitedly spoke, her voice laced with an intimacy that hadn't been present a month ago. "Mmm, Brother Elly! We've both reached the peak of the Silver Tier 5 stage in one shot!"
"Hahaha, yes, we have indeed, Shay! I just didn't expect that after gaining the ability to utilize magic, it would take just less than double the amount of essence energy to break through. Thankfully, we're in such a place with great energy and resources, and also… It's thanks to you," Elton said, his excitement tinged with embarrassment.
Shayleaf merely giggled, showing no intention of removing herself from his lap. She playfully swung her body around to nudge her face against his, though the sight wasn't exactly pretty with the blood still on her lips. Elton, however, was used to it now. He eventually convinced her to get up, and they went out for some fresh air. When they stepped outside, they were met by Joe-Pine, Seraphiel, Zoro, Ramiro, and a Fanged Elf Noble they had come to know. All instantly sensed both their auras, their faces filled with amazement.
Ramiro grumbled, "Sheesh, so much for surpassing you in cultivation."
Elton couldn't help but laugh. Shayleaf also gave a slight giggle, while Zoro simply accepted it with a smirk. Seraphiel smiled, observing such rapid progress. The Fanged Elf Noble, Seralily, was actually a knight like Seraphiel, and her much younger cousin. Seralily had lost her father in battle, and her mother was currently under the care of Aeloria's faction. Her father, Seraphiel's cousin, had looked up to Seraphiel so much that he named his daughter after her.
Seralily possessed a personality somewhat similar to Seraphiel, but she wasn't as experienced or jaded by life's hardships. Ramiro had secretly stolen her heart with his heroic attitude and talent.
Seralily playfully patted Ramiro's shoulder, then suggested, "Worry not, Rami! We can catch up if we also, umm, use a form of their cultivation. Of course, I'm not implying anything! Not at all! But yes, we should train together like them!"
Ramiro looked at her and grabbed her hands. "Hmm, perhaps you have a point! We should go and get that method!"
Seralily, with her generally serious face and attitude, stood there blushing and slightly swooning under Ramiro's heroic and intensely oblivious gaze, before shyly bowing her head. Elton awkwardly looked away, while Zoro glanced at Ramiro with slight annoyance. Joe-Pine just laughed even harder, filled with joy, as he secretly pondered certain future implications. Seraphiel wore a conflicted expression. If not for Lord Aeloria and of course Elton being so incredible, with such promising prospects, and getting to know all these children, there was no way she would have allowed things to progress this way. But she had become more accepting these days.
The air in the arena grounds crackled, heavy with anticipation. Joe-Pine and Elton stood poised, a respectful distance apart. A playful smirk touched Joe-Pine's lips, but his eyes held the keen intensity of a seasoned duelist. Elton, despite his usual easygoing demeanor, radiated a focused calm, his hand already reaching for the familiar weight of a blade.
With a shared nod, their forms blurred. Joe-Pine's hand snapped forward, and from swirling green energy, a magical rapier materialized, shimmering like polished jade. Its tip hummed with potent, concentrated magic. Simultaneously, Elton's will coalesced his dual energies – a brilliant fusion of azure Ki and crackling arcane might – into a formidable longsword. The blade gleamed with an inner light, a testament to his unique power.
"Ready, Elton?" Joe-Pine's voice was light, but his stance tightened, ready to spring.
"Whenever you are, Joe!" Elton countered, his longsword held ready.
"Go Brother Elly!! Ah Give it your all Brother Joe!" Cheered Shayleaf.
Joe-Pine struck first, a blur of motion. His rapier, an extension of his swift fighting style, darted forward, a series of lightning-fast thrusts aimed at Elton's vital points. Each lunge was laced with an unseen magical current, designed to disorient and disrupt. Elton met him with practiced ease, his longsword flashing to deflect the rapid attacks. His own lightning-swift fighting style was a perfect counter, each parry and riposte executed with fluid precision, fueled by his potent Ki.
A subtle green glow emanated from Joe-Pine's off-hand, and a volley of nature-infused magical wooden projectiles burst forth, spiraling thorns of energy aimed at Elton's periphery. Elton sidestepped, his longsword arcing to slice through the magical constructs, dissipating them into sparks. He pressed on, leveraging his martial arts prowess. His magically created longsword became like a whirlwind of steel, forcing Joe-Pine to give ground.
"Good form!" Joe-Pine chuckled, parrying a powerful overhead chop. His rapier, though lighter, met the force with surprising resilience, deflecting Elton's blows with elegant shifts. He spun, creating distance, and a shimmering vine of emerald energy erupted from the ground, lashing out at Elton's feet. Elton, with a grunt, leaped over the magical snare, landing gracefully. As he did, he unleashed a sharp burst of Sword Ki, a focused wave of energy that ripped across the ground towards Joe-Pine.
Joe-Pine didn't dodge. Instead, he channeled his own magic, and a small, crystalline shield of pure arcane energy flickered into existence just in time to absorb the brunt of the Ki slash, deflecting it harmlessly. "Impressive power, Elton!" he praised, already closing the distance. He feinted high with his rapier, then spun low, unleashing a series of sweeping nature-based magical currents that sought to ensnare Elton.
Elton, sensing the magical trap, utilized his own, albeit lower-scale, Nature magic. A faint barrier of crackling, earthy energy shimmered around him, momentarily disrupting Joe-Pine's attack, buying him a crucial instant. He used it to propel himself forward, his longsword seeking an opening.
The duel escalated. Joe-Pine's magic became more overt, weaving intricate spells around his rapier strikes, creating illusions of multiple blades, or sending bursts of concentrated force with every thrust. His movements were incredibly fluid, making him a difficult target to pin down. Elton, however, seemed to transcend his current cultivation tier, his dual energies humming in perfect harmony. He moved like a bolt of white lightning, his Ki-infused slashes leaving trails of crackling energy. He unleashed a White Lightning Spear, a pure projectile of concentrated Ki, forcing Joe-Pine to expend magical energy to deflect it.
Minutes bled into a desperate exchange of skill and will. Both fighters were breathing a bit roughly, their magical constructs flickering, their movements showing just a but of strain.
"Wow! Brother Elly and Brother Joe are so strong and so cool!!" Said Shayleaf with excitement with starry eyes as she jumped up and down.
Seraphiel was watching the battle with subtle shock and amazement. Joe-Pine while not completely going all out is a genius that can fight beyond his tier overall which means that in a true all out battle he is strong enough to fight on par with a Gold tier 2. But Elton… at the peak Silver Tier 5 is able to stand toe to toe with him!
Seralily is at a complete lost for words barely able to keep up with all of the actions performed by Elton and Joe-Pines spar.
Ramiro just laughs while cheering on such an exciting show.
Zoro simply just smirks.
At this point it was time for the final, decisive move.
"One last clash, Joe?" Elton's voice was stern, but his eyes burned with determination.
"That's fine with me! Show me what you've got!" Joe-Pine grinned, his rapier gathering a potent charge of swirling green magic.
With a primal shout, Elton channeled a large amount of his Ki and Magic into his Magical longsword skill. The blade flared, growing larger, hotter, an incandescent beacon of raw power. He swung it in a wide, devastating arc, a massive Sword Ki slash tearing through the air, charged with crackling lightning.
Joe-Pine met it head-on. His rapier pulsed, transforming into a spear of pure, condensed arcane energy, a vibrant emerald beam. He thrust it forward, his body moving with the full force of his nature magic, to meet Elton's overwhelming strike.
BOOOOM!
The impact ripped through the arena grounds , a blinding flash of light and a shockwave that rattled the very foundations of the mansion. Ki, magic, and elemental energies exploded outwards, creating a temporary void of deafening silence before the echoes reverberated. When the dust settled, both Elton and Joe-Pine stood swaying, their weapons dissipated, their chests heaving. Neither had moved.
They looked at each other, battered but unbowed. A moment passed, then Joe-Pine broke the silence with a hearty laugh. "Lets call this a bit of a draw then shall we?"
Elton took a deep breath relaxing his body and then spoke, "Yes I agree. Wow Joe you are so strong! And to think I Was certain that I could currently defeat Gold tier 1 experts with more ease"
"Haha yeah you mist certainly could if it's an ordinary one. We should spar more often Elton."
"Of course."
After Elton and Joe-Pine have their back and forth exchanges while also receiving praises from the others, another challenge is sent.
"Zoro! It's been a while since we have sparred! Hahaha Im itching for battle after witnessing Elton and Joe going at it" Said Ramiro with high confidence.
Zoro walks into the messy arena area, lifts up his hand, and gives Ramiro a taunt to come over and naturally Ramiro charges over and they swiftly get into battle positions.
"Lets go Rami! I have faith in you!!" Shouted Seralily.
"Hahaha thank you Seralily!!" Shouted Ramiro.
6 minutes after intense clashes between Zoro and Ramiro the results were in: Zoro won
"Dammmmniiiit!" Shouted Ramiro